2007 Steelers - Week #16 Saint Louis Rams

Last Week’s Result

• Jacksonville 29, Pittsburgh 22
• Record: 9-5
• Standings: Tied for 1st in AFC North

Last Weeks Game Recap

Most every fan begins the season with dreams of their team winning the Superbowl. Some of these dreams are crushed early on and some survive into the playoffs. The deeper that your team can go into the season with the dream alive basically defines how good of a season your team has. This year, the dream has survived for me until week #15. I have had doubts throughout the season, but I always felt that there were small things that were fixable and that if the Steelers could make the playoffs that they could definitely compete with anyone. I have had painful lessons in the fact that the best season record does not always equate to playoff success. I would rather have a team peaking in December that just gets into the playoffs than one that doesn’t play well in December and backs into the playoffs.

Unfortunately the Steelers are the team that were able to win some games early on and look to be in prime position to make a playoff run. However, while the Steelers have plateaued, and in fact descended, the other AFC teams are beginning to peak. The Steelers have fallen from just below the Patriots and Colts to the middle of the pack. On the other hand, the Jaguars and the Chargers are playing inspired football right now and they may be the scariest teams to face in the playoffs. Jacksonville is not a warm weather team and I really don’t think that home field advantage means a lot to them. They are really not supported that well at home. They are what the Steelers want to be. A tough, clock controlling team that does not make many mistakes.

I was really impressed with the Jaguars to be honest. They have a true power running game and they were able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. David Garrard has developed into an outstanding quarterback and is perfect for this team. They are a complete team and on Sunday they showed themselves to be a deep team, as they had their own injuries to overcome. They are really outside of the public eye and really don’t have any superstars for the general public to swoon over. But they are going to be an extremely tough matchup for most teams in the playoffs and it really would not shock me to see them win it all.

On the other hand, I have never been more disappointed with a Steelers team. While Jacksonville was able to drop Ben 5 times, the Steeler defense never even sniffed Garrard. The Jaguars had a total of one penalty in this game, while the Steelers had three. The time of possession was 38 minutes for the Jaguars and 22 minutes for the Steelers. Have the Pittsburgh Steelers lost their identity? The Steelers are not the physical team that they were under Cowher. Assumedly, this must be what Tomlin wants; a soft, pass happy team.

The offensive line was once again a joke. But it doesn’t help that Ben is holding onto the ball too long as well. Are the receivers not able to get open? Is Ben not taking his check down because he is always looking for the big play? Is the offensive play-calling so terrible that there is not a quick dump off pass available? I love the fact that Ben wants to go downfield with the ball, but it can’t be on every play. I also love that Ben can evade a pass rush and many times get free of blitzers. But again, it can not happen on every play.

While the offense has struggled as of late, the defense is even more disappointing. This is the second game in a row that they have not recorded a sack. I have always been a huge proponent of Dick Lebeau, but this defensive scheme as of late seems to be a little stale. Admittedly, the best defensive player on the team was out (Defensive end Aaron Smith), but the entire defense seems to be playing lackluster football right now. On the offensive side of the ball I see a lot of desire, mostly laid to waste due to inconsistent offensive line play. On the defensive side of the ball, I see a unit that is just going through the motions. Worse yet, I think they have lost their confidence now.

Game MVP

Aaron Smith- I realize that he didn’t play, but I think his not being out there showed how important this guy is to this defensive team. Aaron Smith is never going to put up big impressive numbers or do a dance to get on Sports Center. Most people outside of Steelers fans have probably never even heard his name. I think the putrid performance by this defense without him on the field is proof that he is the best 3-4 defensive end in football. Loosing him for the season is an immense blow and is just a much of a reason that the Steelers are not going anywhere this post season as the lack luster team that is currently taking the field.

Also, somewhat lost in the terrible play of the defense was the efforts by Deshea Townsend and Troy P. Without these two making some great plays, this easily could have been a rout today.

Game Grades

• Offense: D - It is unfortunate to give this grade to this unit, when there were some gutsy players that really never quit. However, the 5 sacks is an absolute disgrace. The offensive line is not doing very well, but giving up these sacks is a team effort, coaches included.
• Defense: F - Another week without getting a sack. Another week with allowing 2 touchdowns in the 3rd quarter. Unlike last week though, the offense came through and gave the Steelers a glimmer of hope in the fourth quarter by tying up the game. The defense then allows Jacksonville to run all over them to win the game. This was so unlike any Steeler team that I have seen in the past. It is inexcusable and very deserving of this low grade.
• Special Teams: C - The special teams were did nothing to really hurt the team, but they didn’t do anything to help either. An average outing for them, which I have come to expect and I really don’t mind.
• Coaching Staff: F - What in the world has the motivational speeches been at half-time for the past two weeks? From the performance on the field, I imagine something such as, “Okay, let’s go out there this half and allow at least two touchdowns in the third quarter. Defense, you keep not living up to your reputation and let them march down the field several times. Offense, they are going to need some help, so I need some three and outs from you. And I know that the offensive line can continue to give up those sacks. Okay, on three!”
• Overall: D-

Season (Composite) Grades

• Offense: - C+
• Defense: - C+
• Special Teams: - C
• Coaching Staff: - C
• Overall: - C

Next Up: Saint Louis Rams

Steven Jackson has got to be licking his chops for the chance to go against the Pittsburgh Steelers defense right now. The Steelers are dangerously prone to allow the run right now and Linehan is going to recognize that. The Steelers defense has really got to focus on shutting down the run early. If the Rams are able to establish the run, their offense is going to be hard to stop and the Steeler defense will be on its heels the entire game. In order to win this game that can not happen.

On offense, I would really like to see the offensive line get fired up. I would like to see what would happen if the Steelers implemented a three step drop, quick-pass offense early on in the game. I would like to see the ball come out of the quarterbacks hands quicker. This would allow the offensive line to get into rhythm and open up big passing plays as well as running lanes. This offensive line is in desperate need for some help and some confidence. Getting it early in this game would be monumental.

My original score prediction had the Steelers loosing. I think that was out of bitterness and frustration though. I’ll be honest, these last two games have made me lower my expectations for this team, which is probably a good thing. The Steelers did not make the play-offs last year, so making the play-offs this year would be an upgrade. To be honest, I am one of those fans that hates for their team to just “make” the play-offs. I want the Steelers to be competitive, but I do not see that happening this year. There are too many fundamental problems with this team and the loss of Aaron Smith is devastating to the defense.

However, I think that the Steelers players have enough talent and enough pride in themselves to come off this short week of preparation and beat a less talented Rams team. I simply can not give up on the season when the Steelers still control their own destiny. What I am really hoping for is an inspired performance from this team for the next two weeks that will restore my confidence in them. I doubt that will happen though.

Final Score Prediction

Pittsburgh 31

St. Louis 27